Podcasts about opportunity scholarship

This week on Family Policy Matters, host Traci DeVette Griggs welcomes Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, to discuss the Opportunity Scholarship and how families can take advantage of this valuable resource.

This episode is presented by Simply NC Goods – The North Carolina legislature has unveiled its budget update and it includes more money for the popular Opportunity Scholarship program and a law to require sheriffs cooperate with federal immigration officials. Help Pete's for the Walk to End Alzheimer's by going here. Subscribe to the podcast at: https://ThePeteKalinerShow.com/  All the links to Pete's Prep are free: https://patreon.com/petekalinershow  Advertising inquiries: Pete@ThePeteKalinerShow.com  Get exclusive content here!: https://thepetekalinershow.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In North Carolina, the Opportunity Scholarship gives parents funds to send their children to private and charter schools — and other states are following suit. How should we think about such voucher programs — and the school choice movement as a whole? Dr. Bryce Hantla joins us for a nuanced conversation on the pros and cons of school choice. He talks about different education options (like public, charter, private or home schools). And he urges Christians not to abandon public schools, but to reach themwith the gospel. Plus, Dr. Quinn tells you about our upcoming Drummond-Bush Lecture with Trevin Wax on Tuesday, Sept. 10! - Website: cfc.sebts.edu - Trevin Wax Lecture on Sept. 10: drummondbush24.eventbrite.com - Contact us: cfc.sebts.edu/about/contact-us/ - Support the work of the Center: cfc.sebts.edu/about/give/ All opinions and views expressed by guest speakers are solely their own. They do not speak for nor represent SEBTS. Read our expressed views and confessions: www.sebts.edu/about/what_we_believe.aspx

This week on Family Policy Matters, host Traci DeVette Griggs welcomes back Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom North Carolina, to discuss North Carolina's Opportunity Scholarship and the impact that it has. 

Tim Royers hasn't liked this "Opportunity Scholarship" bill from the start, and certainly doesn't like what may happen with the vote-inducing petition they worked on. Then, State Sen. Justin Wayne was cited for his leadership in yesterday's North Omaha development event. But, he wasn't there and doesn't support it!

On this episode of Students Over Systems, special guest Virginia Walden Ford discusses the grassroots parent advocacy movement she led which resulted in the passage of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship program almost 20 years ago. Virginia lauds the past congressional advocates for the program, which provides K-12 scholarships to low-income D.C. families, and laments the […]

The EdChoice state team gives us a summary of all the recent happenings in the states. It's been an exciting month with North Carolina expanding the Opportunity Scholarship. Find out more in the podcast!

Our UK host, Nalisha Patel, gets to know one of this year's inspiring GMAT Talent and Opportunity Scholarship winners, Renata Agostinelli. Renata talks about her unique career journey in tech, her involvement with the Lean In organization, her passion for D&I, plus gives tips on how you too can be successful in your application - and in your life goals.  Resources:  Scholarship Information Lean In Forte Foundation  

This week on Family Policy Matters, host Traci DeVette Griggs welcomes Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, to discuss North Carolina's Opportunity Scholarship and the impact it has on families across the state.  This episode is a part of a series highlighting the school choice movement across North Carolina. Tune in each week to learn more!

Justin Parmenter is a CMS teacher and public school advocate. He says the new "Choose Your School, Choose Your Future" bill in the General Assembly offers the wrong kind of choice."When your choices have a negative impact on the education that others are receiving, it's not just about your own personal choice. And so I think this approach is depleting resources that we really need in our traditional public schools," Parmenter said on WCNC's Flashpoint. On Wednesday, North Carolina Republicans celebrated what would be the largest expansion of the state's private school voucher program since it was created, saying all families should qualify for at least some money regardless of income.Senate Bill 406 would remove the program's current income caps, replacing them with a sliding scale that would let any family get a voucher, called an Opportunity Scholarship, of up to $3,246.READ MORE:   https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/flashpoint/teachers-new-voucher-bill-public-education/275-811942be-5a6e-4a37-9572-8b1bd1f6737d

Justin Parmenter is a CMS teacher and public school advocate. He says the new "Choose Your School, Choose Your Future" bill in the General Assembly offers the wrong kind of choice. "When your choices have a negative impact on the education that others are receiving, it's not just about your own personal choice. And so I think this approach is depleting resources that we really need in our traditional public schools," Parmenter said on WCNC's Flashpoint.  On Wednesday, North Carolina Republicans celebrated what would be the largest expansion of the state's private school voucher program since it was created, saying all families should qualify for at least some money regardless of income. Senate Bill 406 would remove the program's current income caps, replacing them with a sliding scale that would let any family get a voucher, called an Opportunity Scholarship, of up to $3,246. READ MORE:   https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/flashpoint/teachers-new-voucher-bill-public-education/275-811942be-5a6e-4a37-9572-8b1bd1f6737d

North Carolina Senate Republicans called Wednesday for the largest expansion of the state's private school voucher program since it was created, saying all families should qualify for at least some money regardless of income.Senate Bill 406 would remove the program's current income caps, replacing them with a sliding scale that would let any family get a voucher, called an Opportunity Scholarship, of up to $3,246. From there the bill sets up a tiered system with families making less money eligible for larger scholarships, up to $7,213 a year.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/nc-republicans-private-school-education-vouchers/275-a4dd84da-4354-47be-b9f1-287147ee8913 A massive fire caused damage to multiple buildings in downtown Statesville early Tuesday morning. The fire was initially spotted by firefighters, who were responding to a separate call and noticed smoke coming from the downtown area. Once they arrived at the corner of West Broad Street and South Center Street after 2 a.m., they saw flames and heavy smoke coming from the buildings.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/firefighters-battle-major-fire-in-downtown-statesville-overnight-iredell/275-df2ed0b2-17e8-4451-b155-e538f22e954bPlus on our live edition of #WakeUpCLT To Go, we're highlighting Bountiful Blessings in Gastonia. This nonprofit is doing amazing work in the community, plus it's a food pantry that does more than collect food. They provide clothing, medical supplies and other essential items to neighbors in need. But they can't do it without your help. Text "Bountiful" to 44321 to learn how you can make a difference or click here --> https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/community/bountiful-blessing-volunteers-doing-good-charlotte-nc/275-75a416b1-d4c8-4fe2-9f00-c1e9ab0c4b90Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

North Carolina Senate Republicans called Wednesday for the largest expansion of the state's private school voucher program since it was created, saying all families should qualify for at least some money regardless of income. Senate Bill 406 would remove the program's current income caps, replacing them with a sliding scale that would let any family get a voucher, called an Opportunity Scholarship, of up to $3,246. From there the bill sets up a tiered system with families making less money eligible for larger scholarships, up to $7,213 a year. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/nc-republicans-private-school-education-vouchers/275-a4dd84da-4354-47be-b9f1-287147ee8913  A massive fire caused damage to multiple buildings in downtown Statesville early Tuesday morning.  The fire was initially spotted by firefighters, who were responding to a separate call and noticed smoke coming from the downtown area. Once they arrived at the corner of West Broad Street and South Center Street after 2 a.m., they saw flames and heavy smoke coming from the buildings. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/firefighters-battle-major-fire-in-downtown-statesville-overnight-iredell/275-df2ed0b2-17e8-4451-b155-e538f22e954b Plus on our live edition of #WakeUpCLT To Go, we're highlighting Bountiful Blessings in Gastonia. This nonprofit is doing amazing work in the community, plus it's a food pantry that does more than collect food. They provide clothing, medical supplies and other essential items to neighbors in need. But they can't do it without your help. Text "Bountiful" to 44321 to learn how you can make a difference or click here --> https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/community/bountiful-blessing-volunteers-doing-good-charlotte-nc/275-75a416b1-d4c8-4fe2-9f00-c1e9ab0c4b90 Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

This episode is presented by Old Grouch's Military Surplus -- The North Carolina Senate is weighing a proposal to expand the Opportunity Scholarship program, to allow more students to access tuition grants for K-12 schools. Democrats say it will destroy the current  government-run model.  Get exclusive content here!: https://thepetekalinershow.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bienvenidos a un episodio mas de Mucho Gusto Radio Podcast, ahora nos acompaña Cesar Seguil, Director de Programas en Washington State Opportunity Scholarship. Disfruta esta conversación con Cesar junto a Rafael Y Macarena y aprende lo que WSOS tiene para ti que quieres continuar tu educación. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/entre-hermanos/support

On Monday, Governor Roy Cooper signed a nearly $28 billion state budget into law. As is customary, a majority of the plan goes toward education. On this episode of The Politics Podcast, WUNC reporter Liz Schlemmer offers some analysis on the K-12 public education portion of the budget and what it means for educators and charter schools. Among the details: public school teachers will receive an average raise of 4.2%. Lawmakers have also doubled-down on investments in the Opportunity Scholarship program, pumping in an additional $500 million over the next seven years.

In this episode we talk with Director of Education Policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Ben DeGrow. He and EdChoice's Director of Fiscal Research and Education Center, Marty Lueken, co-wrote a report that discusses the potential impacts of a proposed ESA program in Michigan.

Perhaps it sounds too good to be true: "free college for New Mexico." But the fact is, a freshly expanded state program is ensuring just that. What started in 2020, the state's "Opportunity Scholarship" is now bigger than ever. If you didn't finish college and are seeking your first degree or training in a high-need trade, the state is willing to pick up the cost of your higher education. So how does it work? And why are so many lawmakers willing to support it? Chris and Gabby explore the state's free college offer this week. Hear from New Mexico's Department of Higher Education Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez in the first half of the episode. Later on, a discussion with a Republican lawmaker: Senator Cliff Pirtle (R-Roswell) talks about why he supports what some may argue is a major government spending program.  Need a further breakdown of how the Opportunity Scholarship works? Check out Curtis Segarra's news resource or FAQ-style article titled: "Understanding New Mexico's 'free college' offer." What's on your mind? Like something we did? Got an idea? Let us know. Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM.  For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our website: KRQE.com/podcasts.

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok debuted her new play, Sanctuary City, Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop in the fall of 2021. The drama follows B and G, two best friends, both undocumented immigrants. After 9/11, B's mom decides to return to her country of origin, but the U.S. is the only home B has ever known. As he decides whether to stay or leave, G might be able to offer him a solution. How much are they each willing to sacrifice?  Sanctuary City puts U.S. immigration policy and the people it affects under a microscope and humanizes the stories behind the legalese. Host Ruthie Fierberg, along with Majok and experts Katherine Benton-Cohen (Author Inventing the Immigration Problem: The Dillingham Commission & Its Legacy), Carolina Canizales (Immigration Legal Resource Center), and Christian Pinochet-Paul (Presidents' Alliance) discuss the evolution of immigration policy in the United States to present day, potential reforms to make policies more humane, where immigrants can find support, and more.  Create the change Support your local immigrant communities Create a warm and safe space at community centers Welcome them in the PTA and at school functions Become a patron of immigrant-owned businesses Assist in supporting refugees Dispel myths about immigrants (Read “The 14 Most Common Arguments Against Immigrants and Why They're Wrong”) Donate to/partner with TheDream.US Donate to the International Rescue Committee Volunteer with/Join a campaign at United We Dream, the largest immigrant youth-led network Visit the State Policies map to see the policies of colleges & universities in every state Advocate for in-state tuition for all students with your state representatives If you work at a college or university, visit Presidents' Alliance for resources, research, and tips to support international, immigrant, & undocumented students If you or someone you know is an immigrant, undocumented or otherwise, who needs support: Check your eligibility for DACA and apply (DACA toolbox) Apply for a National Scholarship or Opportunity Scholarship for higher education Seek support from United We Dream Reach out to Texas Organizing Project Contact the Workers Defense Project Find a Dream Center near you Referred to in this episode Timeline of U.S. immigration laws  What is DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)? What is DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act)? The Dillingham Commission Katie's book Inventing the Immigration Problem: The Dillingham Commission & Its Legacy Chinese Exclusion Act 1907 Gentlemen's Agreement 1965 Hart-Celler Act What is the DREAM Act? Who are Dreamers? Paul Kramer TED Talk: “Our Immigration Conversation Is Broken” Section 1325 (Unlawful Entry….) and Section 1326 (Re-entry After Deportation) Business Insider article on inflation and immigration Presidents' Alliance, Best Practices Gaby Pacheco scholarship (via TheDream.us) Julian Castro's proposed immigration policies Libby Garland's book After They Closed the Gates: Jewish Illegal Immigration to the United States, 1921-1965 The number of immigrants and undocumented immigrants in the U.S. About Our Guests: Ruthie Fierberg, Host Ruthiefierberg.com  IG: @whywetheater / T: @whywetheater IG: @ruthiefierceberg / T: @RuthiesATrain Martyna Majok, playwright Twitter: @martynamajok Katherine Benton-Cohen, PhD, professor of history and author Twitter: @guprofbc  Carolina Canizales, Immigrant Legal Resource Center Twitter: @the_ILRC Christian Penichet-Paul, Presidents' Alliance Twitter: @donchristian92 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fallon Procter is joined by his wife, Kenya, and North Carolina educator Tarrah Williams and NC State Senator (19th District) Kirk DeViere to discuss positive legislation on behalf of families and the education of children in North Carolina.Among the topics discussed are the expansion of the Opportunity Scholarship and expanded eligibility for the Children with Disabilities Grant.You can learn more about the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship at https://www.ncseaa.edu/

In Proverbs 22:6 the Bible tells us to "..Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Today we're talking with Christian educators about the impact of education and parents' right and responsibility to choose how and where their child is educated.If you live in North Carolina and would like to learn more about Opportunity Scholarship for your K-12 student, all the information to guide you through the process is available at:https://www.ncseaa.edu/k12/opportunity/To quickly determine eligibility, you'll find an overview of K12 Programs Eligibility Requirements in a single document here: https://www.ncseaa.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1171/2020/10/K12_Eligibility.pdfJoining Fallon Procter today are Christian School Principal, Tarrah Jones, and Pastor and Christian educator, Clay Davis.

Everyday all across the green country, people are making our community better. My name is Darryl Baskin with eXp Realty with today's community spotlight. The Opportunity Scholarship Fund is an organization scholarship grant which will give our fellow Oklahomans the opportunity to send their kids into private schools across the country that are going to best fit their kids. A child reacts differently in different learning environments. Some of them don't get enough attention, some experience bullying and they have difficulty in learning which needs them to be transferred into a different learning environment. A more productive learning environment where the teacher is receptive, the teacher helps that child. The student became confident and a student turned around their academics. The OSF provided over 5000 scholarships in the last five years. Two kids across the state and we're wanting to provide more. And as you know, not for profits are struggling right now because the donors are not able to give as much as they could or they are afraid to give because they don't know what the future lies and they don't know if they have enough money to go for the future. We are asking people to be able to give towards this to help those families and to help those schools better serve these families. The donors will actually give to the Opportunity Scholarship Fund and they can pick one of 68 different member schools that they serve as where they want that money to go. However, they can't designate to the individual child but they can designate the school. The donation will go towards the school and OSF will send them an acknowledgement letter. The Opportunity Scholarship Fund will thank them for their gift and they will give them 50% tax credit. The 50% of their donation automatically is reducing their state income taxes, and if they're willing to make that same gift for two years in a row, then they will get a 75% tax credit for both of those years. For example, $1000 donation returns $750 of a reduced tax bill on April 15th to the state of Oklahoma and the remaining $250 of that $1000 is a charitable contribution gift because we are their 501C3 organization and $1000 gift, it may cost that donor only $200 to get that money back. For more details and to donate and take credit(s), go to: https://osfkids.org/donate/ To schedule a FREE real estate specialists consultation please contact Darryl Baskin of Baskin Real Estate Specialists powered by eXp Realty. DARRYL BASKIN Baskin Real Estate Specialists, eXp Realty Email: darryl@darrylbaskin.com tel:+19182582600 tel:+19187329732 Thinking of Selling? Get your FREE Home Valuation complete with local comparables instantly. https://www.homeguidetulsa.com/sell.php Looking to Purchase? Search thousands of current listings directly from our local MLS. https://www.homeguidetulsa.com/index.php?advanced=1&display=&custombox=&types[]=1&beds=0&baths=0&min=0&max=100000000&rtype=map#rsl

The races for president, governor, and U.S. Senate have been dominating N.C. headlines. But voters are making other important decisions in the next week. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, assesses recent developments in races for offices such as lieutenant governor, superintendent of public instruction, state treasurer, and labor commissioner. North Carolina’s popular Opportunity Scholarship program faces a new legal challenge. Plaintiffs challenging the scholarships are tied to the N.C. Association of Educators teachers union. Corey DeAngelis, director of school choice at the libertarian Reason Foundation, analyzed the suit during a recent online forum. North Carolina’s junior U.S. senator secured a national audience during the recent confirmation hearings for a new Supreme Court justice. You’ll hear highlights from Sen. Thom Tillis’ opening remarks in the hearing for Judge Amy Coney Barrett. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause complications for businesses in North Carolina, especially businesses like private bars that have been prohibited from reopening. Zack Medford, founder and president of the N.C. Bar and Tavern Association, recently discussed COVID-19 challenges during an online presentation for the John Locke Foundation. The same online audience also heard a broader perspective on coronavirus-related business uncertainty from Gary Salamido, president and CEO of the NC Chamber. The pandemic also has negative effects on students’ ability to learn material in school. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, explores the learning loss linked to COVID-19 school shutdowns.

Debate about the COVID-19 pandemic has featured plenty of data involving case numbers, deaths, and hospitalizations. Dig into the details, and you learn that the numbers might not be as useful as they first appear. They might even portray a misleading picture. Jon Sanders, John Locke Foundation director of regulatory studies, discusses key aspects of his research into key COVID-19 numbers. Americans are paying much more attention to China these days, largely because of that country’s role in the pandemic. Part of the discussion involves American trade with China. Scott Lincicome, senior fellow in economic studies at the Cato Institute, challenges one popular narrative surrounding trade with China. He shares highlights from his research. One reason voters should pay attention to this year’s N.C. Supreme Court elections involves school choice. A lawsuit challenging the state’s popular Opportunity Scholarship program is heading to a trial court. Most experts expect the case to head eventually to the state Supreme Court, which upheld the scholarships by a 4-3 vote in 2015. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, explains why the new lawsuit should raise concerns for school choice supporters. One of the state’s top government watchdogs recently retired. You’ll hear highlights from John Turcotte’s last meeting as head of the General Assembly’s internal Program Evaluation Division. If North Carolina moves forward with Medicaid expansion, ends its ban on collective bargaining, and adopts the types of spending increases Gov. Roy Cooper has proposed in his budget plans, the state budget could grow by 13%. That’s a key finding in a new report from John Locke Foundation Senior Fellow Joseph Coletti. Coletti discusses report and talks about the potential impact for taxpayers if North Carolina pursues ideas popular among Democratic policymakers and political candidates.

A Union County judge has approved a deal calling on the state of North Carolina to boost education spending by more than $400 million a year. It’s the first stage of a plan that would lead to billions of dollars of new spending. The money is tied to the long-running Leandro lawsuit. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, analyzes the latest developments in the quarter-century-old Leandro case. The N.C. Association of Educators teachers union is leading a lawsuit designed to kill the state’s Opportunity Scholarship program. But three families are going to court to intervene in the case. They want to defend the scholarship vouchers. Grandparent Janet Nunn explains why she’s working with the Institute for Justice to protect the vouchers. North Carolina and the rest of the United States recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guaranteed women’s right to vote in elections. During a recent online forum, John Locke Foundation CEO Amy Cooke helped mark the anniversary. Cooke also shared her concerns about current political debates about women’s role in politics. COVID-19 has generated health care challenges across the country. During a recent online John Locke Foundation forum, North Carolinians heard expert analysis from Rea Hederman, vice president for policy at the Ohio-based Buckeye Institute. Hederman discussed state-level innovations that can lead to better health outcomes during the pandemic and afterward. The N.C. General Assembly recently approved a COVID-19 package totaling nearly $1 billion. They dubbed it the Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0. Joseph Coletti, John Locke Foundation senior fellow, explores the latest package’s pros and cons. He looks at the potential impact on the state’s long-term fiscal outlook.

Carolina Journal Radio celebrates its 900th weekly episode, marking more than 17 years of documenting interesting developments in N.C. politics and public policy. Using that milestone as a starting point, John Locke Foundation CEO Amy Cooke looks ahead to the future for JLF efforts to spread the message about individual freedom, personal responsibility, and limited constitutional government. Plaintiffs tied to the N.C. Association of Educators teachers union are challenging Opportunity Scholarship school vouchers in court. Opponents contend vouchers violate the state constitution, despite the fact that the N.C. Supreme Court upheld Opportunity Scholarships in 2015. Jeanette Doran, president and general counsel of the N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law, analyzes the new lawsuit. Count Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest among those who would like to see N.C. public schools reopen as soon as possible with students in classrooms every day. Forest explained his concerns about the state’s school reopening plans during a recent news conference. The COVID-19 pandemic could lead to long-term changes in the area of telemedicine. Dr. Brian Forrest, founder and CEO of Access Healthcare Direct, discussed telemedicine’s benefits during a recent online forum sponsored by the John Locke Foundation. Forrest explains why telemedicine could play a valuable role in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. The John Locke Foundation and the N.C. Advocates for Justice recently filed a joint amicus or “friend-of-the-court” brief in support of a Wake County property owner named Beverly Rubin. She has spent five years in a legal battle with Apex over a sewer line that the town installed across her property in 2015. Jon Guze, JLF director of legal studies, discusses the case and its important constitutional issues.

Five years after the state's highest court upheld a school voucher program, a new lawsuit challenges that program's implementation.

This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Gwyneth Doland is back at the Roundhouse to talk to lawmakers about fair representation and the funding woes of the state’s new Ethics Commission. The budget debated in the House this week doesn’t fully fund the new commission, which is in place to monitor legislators. Also, there’s a movement afoot to change the way New Mexico redraws its political boundaries. Doland, who authored a report on the state’s shortcomings, checks in on the effort to make state government better reflect its citizens. Senior producer Matt Grubs sits down with Tierna Unruh-Enos, who this week began a podcast called The Mesa, about the unsolved murders of women buried on Albuquerque’s West Mesa. The deaths of 11 women, one of whom was pregnant, are thought to be the work of a serial killer. This week marked the 11th anniversary of the discovery of the bodies. Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel talk about the budget that was poised to pass the House as the Legislature hit its halfway mark. The 7.6 billion dollar budget does not include the governor’s Opportunity Scholarship plan to make tuition at state colleges and universities free for all eligible New Mexicans. The panelists also look at diversity in the New Mexico Legislature, and a group lawsuit alleging a failure by the U.S. government to adequately clean up the pollution from a decades-old fuel leak at Albuquerque’s Kirtland Air Force Base.

This week on “Problematic Women”, we interview the woman that inspired the new feature film “Miss Virginia,” Virginia Walden Ford. We talk to her about everything from her childhood years integrating the Little Rock, Ark. school system to working with President George W. Bush creating the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship program, to the star-studded cast of her new movie. We also break down: — Actress Alyssa Milano and Sen. Ted Cruz are taking their gun debate from Twitter to a meeting on Capitol Hill. — Faculty at The University of Kansas are upset that the Chick-fil-A on campus was moved to a more prominent location, calling the fast food chain “a bastion of bigotry.” — Kim Kardashian West chooses former convict turned criminal justice reform advocate Alice Johnson as the face of her new shapewear line. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On Monday, we talked to Nicole Foy with the Idaho Statesman about emails she uncovered from Idaho republicans that could mean that the legislature might try to ban DACA students from getting Idaho Opportunity Scholarships. What exactly are these scholarships, are “Dreamers” getting them now and why have they been controversial with lawmakers in the past?

With the appointments of new Chief Justice Cheri Beasley and Associate Justice Mark Davis, the N.C. Supreme Court now has six Democrats and just one Republican. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, analyzes the political implications of changes within the state’s highest court. Henderson also looks ahead to three contested Supreme Court elections in 2020. Donald Trump has changed the face of presidential politics. He’s also had an impact on the national Republican Party. F.H. Buckley, professor at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, assesses those changes in his recent book The Republican Workers Party. Buckley shares key themes from his research. Some state lawmakers want North Carolina to ban female genital mutilation. Their legislation responds to a recent court ruling striking down a federal law covering the same topic. Reformers are trying again this year to change the way North Carolina draws state congressional and legislative election maps. One proposal would write nonpartisan election redistricting rules into the state constitution. You’ll hear from supporters, including former UNC System President Tom Ross and conservative businessman and philanthropist Art Pope. Gov. Roy Cooper’s budget proposal features 9 percent pay raises for public school teachers over the next two years. Cooper also wants to kill off the state’s Opportunity Scholarship school voucher program. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, critiques Cooper’s proposals.

School choice takes many different forms in North Carolina. In recent years, state legislators have established Opportunity Scholarship vouchers for students from low-wealth families, a separate grant program for students with special education needs, and education savings accounts. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, analyzes each of these programs. Cyberspace might represent the most important battlefield in future conflicts between the United States and its adversaries. During a recent visit to North Carolina, Washington Post staff writer Shane Harris explained how President Trump has approached cyberwarfare differently from his predecessors. Harris analyzes the potential impact of the policy shift. For the first time in his nine years as leader of the N.C. Senate, Phil Berger will not have a Republican supermajority to override a governor’s veto. During the opening day of the new legislative session, Berger explained how the change could affect relations between Senate Republicans and Democrats. Speaking of vetoes, lawmakers voted to override Cooper’s veto of a bill re-establishing separate state elections and ethics oversight boards. During the vote, lawmakers debated the potential impact on investigations of alleged campaign finance violations. Buncombe County voters approved a local sales tax hike in 2011 to address repairs and renovations for their local community college. A recent scandal involving the ousted county manager revealed that the money had been used instead to balance Buncombe’s budget. Joseph Coletti, John Locke Foundation senior fellow, discusses the problem and potential solutions for Buncombe taxpayers.

Most school-age children are back in classrooms after summer break. Their families recently encountered the annual trip to the store to buy new school supplies. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and resident scholar, crunches the numbers to determine how much parents, teachers, and state taxpayers spend to equip kids for a new year of school. Advocates of North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship school voucher program recently touted results of a study from N.C. State University. It documented the vouchers’ “positive, large, and statistically significant” benefits for low-income students. Two of the key NCSU researchers, assistant professor Anna Egalite and professor Stephen Porter, discuss their findings. They explain why the Opportunity Scholarship program’s design limits researchers’ ability to perform the highest-quality performance review. North Carolina voters will decide in November whether to lower the state constitution’s existing cap on the state’s income tax rate. The current cap stands at 10 percent. The amendment would reduce that number to 7 percent. You’ll hear highlights from the N.C. House’s recent debate on the issue. Greenville businessman Harry Smith recently took over as chairman of the UNC System’s Board of Governors. During his first meeting as chairman, Smith outlined for colleagues his priorities for the board, which oversees 16 university campuses and the N.C. School of Science and Math. You’ll hear highlights from his remarks. A recent state audit criticized the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission for millions of dollars of waste over more than a decade. Some observers hope the audit will help spark interest in privatizing state alcohol sales. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, analyzes reaction to the audit and the likely response from state policymakers.

Earlier this year, the Idaho Legislature allowed for twenty percent of the state's Opportunity Scholarship to aid adult learners. We'll talk with the state's Board of Education and the Idaho Workforce Development Council about helping alternative students attain their degrees.

State lawmakers voted to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of their $23.9 billion General Fund budget for the new budget year that starts July 1. Becki Gray, John Locke Foundation senior vice president, shares highlights from the new budget. Gray discusses key components of the spending plan and how they reflect legislative priorities. A new N.C. State University study shows that North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship Program demonstrates “positive, large, and statistically significant” benefits for low-income students. That’s good news to Brian Jodice, interim president of the group Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina. Jodice assesses the significance of the researchers’ findings and looks ahead to future assessments of the Opportunity Scholarship vouchers. N.C. legislators have been considering multiple ways to improve public school safety. Rep. Larry Pittman, R-Cabarrus, has been disappointed to see them ignore his proposal. During a recent news conference, Pittman and Paul Valone of the gun-rights group Grass Roots North Carolina touted potential benefits of a bill that would have allowed some school teachers to carry concealed handguns to protect students. It’s hard to gauge the state’s economic health without paying attention to its businesses. Dane Huffman, managing editor of the Triangle Business Journal, spends his working day talking to business people about their challenges and success stories. Huffman shares his insights about business leaders’ assessment of current N.C. economic conditions. North Carolina has good laws against civil asset forfeiture abuse, but a federal process called “equitable sharing” helps local law enforcement agencies get around the state law. Jon Guze, John Locke Foundation director of legal studies, says “equitable sharing” represents a significant threat to property rights.

A new report from N.C. State University researchers shows that North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship voucher program for low-income students has a “positive, large, and statistically significant” impact. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, assesses the study’s impact for the voucher program’s future. A fatal attempted prison break at Pasquotank Correctional Center in 2017 has prompted state legislators to focus attention on prison reform. Adrian Moore, vice president of policy for the Reason Foundation, has spent years research the topic across the country. Moore offers ideas N.C. lawmakers might want to consider as they beef up security and make other necessary changes throughout the state’s prison system. State lawmakers recently addressed recommendations for increasing efficiency within the N.C. Department of Administration. They heard a warning that some efficiency measures could be complicated by poor data collection. You’ll hear legislative reaction to the efficiency report. Water infrastructure across North Carolina is aging and, in some cases, crumbling. But local regulations can lead to less choice and higher costs as pipes are upgraded. That’s a concern shared by Michael Power, senior director of state government affairs, Southern region, for the American Chemistry Council. Power explains why his group is seeking state legislation that would block local governments from adopting overly stringent restrictions on the types of materials used in new water pipes. The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled, 7-2, that the state of Colorado could not force a professional cake baker to design a cake for a same-sex wedding. But the ruling’s long-term impact is not as clear-cut as the result might imply. Jon Guze, John Locke Foundation director of legal studies, analyzes the Supreme Court’s decision in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case.

Two new reports are out exploring our state’s Opportunity Scholarship or private school voucher program. One study looks at the academic achievement of students who left public schools to attend private schools using state-funded vouchers. The other examines the type of curriculum being used by the private voucher schools. We talk to the authors of both studies on this week’s show. Guests: • Dr. Trip Stallings, Director of Policy Research, Friday Institute, NC State University • Dr. Anna Egalite, Assistant Professor, College of Education, NC State University • Bonnie Bechard, Study Author, League of Women Voters of the Lower Cape Fear • Dr. Mary Kolek, Education Action Team Lead, League of Women Voters of North Carolina

A popular voucher program may come to an end unless it is reauthorized -- something this year’s federal omnibus spending bill failed to do. Jason Bedrick offers his analysis. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

NC Family president John Rustin talks with Matt Sharp, legal counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), about the constitutional rights of Christian schools in North Carolina to participate in the Opportunity Scholarship program, as well as an aggressive campaign by Equality NC to bully Christian schools into declining participation in the program.